"E Notes"
Our Schools, Our Kids, Our Future
Thoughts to Live By!
Every year at this time, there is much advice given for graduating seniors. It is hard to know what information is the most beneficial to share with our young adults. Last May, I urged graduates to live life with ‘No Regrets’. Each week I receive motivational messages from Jon M. Stigliano at the Strategic Solutions Group. This May I will expand on some thoughts Mr. Stigliano sent to me in an email which I feel are very important ones to ponder whether you are a student, a graduating student or an adult:
Thoughts to Live By!
1. Show passion and enthusiasm for life! Thinking about this statement, what if we had no passion or enthusiasm? Can you imagine just going through the motions? I can. I remember having some of those jobs until I graduated from college. This thought goes hand-in-hand with last year’s message of having no regrets. If we have true excitement and passion to drive our actions, we will have no regrets about having done our best.
2. Treat other people like gold! Isn’t this how we would all like to be treated? Enough said.
3. Invest daily in your personal relationships! Meaningful relationships don’t just happen; you have to invest time and energy into them. Let those you care about know that you do. These actions may consist of a hug, encouraging words, a smile, flowers for no reason, etc. Whatever you say or do, make sure it is sincere.
4. Deliver more than expected! No matter the job, always do it better than what was assigned. Not only will you be proud of yourself, but your actions will get noticed by others. Status quo is not acceptable! Take initiative to work or to start projects without being asked.
5. Don't be afraid to take action or take some risk! In my younger years, I was often afraid to make a mistake; therefore, I seldom reached my potential. It took others to see in me what I did not see in myself before I would stretch myself or pursue other avenues. Be a risk taker!
6. Get better and better - continuously improve! Study, practice, read are some avenues to continual improvement. Whether work, school or a hobby, it takes time to reach perfection!
7. Systematize things and have a plan! We have become a society of instant gratification. Many of us have difficulty in the ability to organize and plan. We are unable to plan for our futures whether in our personal lives or our professional lives.
8. Stay focused on and be smart with your resources! I remember when our son was so excited to get his first credit card in college but before long, he had charged up quite a large amount. It takes amazingly much longer to pay off the card than it does to charge on it. He had to learn the hard way, that when you want something, it is smarter to save up for the item or plan ahead how to finance that new item. Your resources might not just be finances. For example if you are a technology whiz, use your talents to better yourself or to help others rather than for hacking, cyberbullying, or illegal activities.
9. Think ahead! See the ‘big picture’! This thought coordinates with thoughts 7 & 8. Thinking ahead should accentuate having a plan and being smart with your resources. When you start getting that first big paycheck, be sure to develop plans to pay off those student loans and credit cards but also plan for a family (even if not married) and for retirement. Not only plan for your personal life but in your job or career, where do you see yourself in ten, twenty or even 50 years from now? What is the goal your business is trying to accomplish? Think ahead, plan, and be smart with your resources and talents.
10. Do for others as opposed to getting from others! Nothing is more rewarding than a life of servitude. Not only is it rewarding for those receiving the benefits but probably more so for those giving. Teaching a child how to read or how to throw a ball; taking an elderly person to church or the library; visiting a hospital or nursing home; volunteering at the food pantry are all activities that make a difference in the lives of others. Coach Treybig has reinforced this quality in our young athletes with his “Palacios Athletes Give Back” program. Athletes have been encouraged to help others in a variety of avenues.
As you have heard many times, success is not measured by how much money you make but rather whether you have led a rewarding, satisfying life. If you can focus on these thoughts, it is guaranteed that you will reach success.